The al-Ghab offensive (July–August 2015) was an offensive launched by rebels during the Syrian Civil War to capture areas surrounding Jisr al-Shughur, and to establish a foothold in the al-Ghab plain, in northwestern Syria's Idlib and Hama governorates.
The campaign consisted of a three-pronged attack, with the two main assaults spearheaded by Ahrar ash-Sham, al-Qaeda's al-Nusra Front, and other SunniIslamist factions under the banner of the Army of Conquest, and the remaining attack force including collaboration with Free Syrian Army groups.[30] The commander of the 13th Division, affiliated with the FSA, stated that coordinating with other groups such as al-Nusra Front did not mean they were aligned with them.[3] Within days, the rebels captured the city of Jisr al-Shughur and later on an Army base.[27] The success of the campaign was attributed to better coordination between the Syrian opposition's backers.[31][32] Still, the operation resulted in a high attrition rate for both sides.[27]
The offensive
Initial rebel assault
On 28 July 2015, rebels launched an assault to capture the remaining areas surrounding Jisr al-Shugur. Two hours later, rebels had captured the strategic hills of Tal Khattab, Tal Awar and Tal Hamka; along with the towns of Frikka, Mushayrafah, Salat Al-Zuhour and Zayzun. The Army retreated to the south in order to reinforce its positions at Tal Wassit and Tal Sheikh Elyas.[33] The Army responded with 160 airstrikes and dozens of shells and missiles. According to the SOHR, about 90 government fighters were killed or wounded during the assault, while 37 rebels (15 non-Syrian; including a Jordanian leader) were killed.[34]
Army counter-attack
Three days later on 1 August, the military recaptured Ziyadia and Zayzun, including its power station. In addition, they captured the towns of Khirbat al-Naqus and Mansura and its surrounding areas. The advances came after the Air Force had conducted more than 270 air-strikes on rebel positions over four days. The fighting had left 39 combatants dead,[35] including 20 soldiers and 19 rebels.[36]
On 2 August, government troops managed to recapture the Frikkah area, Khirbat al-Naqus, Mansura, al-Ziyadiyyah, Zayzun power plant and its dam, Tal Awar, Al-Ziyarah area and other areas on the outskirts of Idlib governorate and al-Ghab Plain. The fighting in the preceding 72 hours left more than 115 rebels and 42 government fighters dead.[37] Later that day, rebels launched a counter-attack and managed to recapture parts of Frikkah.[38] However, this claim was refuted by pro-government outlet Al-Masdar, which stated that the Army never re-entered Frikkah.[39]
On 3 August, rebels recaptured Tal Awar and Frikkah, after the Army retreated from them,[40] while the Army recaptured Tal Hamka.[41] At least 30 government fighters and 16 rebels were killed.[40] According to Al-Masdar, the Army repelled an attack on Fawru.[42] Meanwhile, a Syrian warplane crashed inside Ariha, leaving a number of casualties among civilians. The fate of its crew was unclear.[43]
Rebels regain ground
On 5 August, rebels launched a counter-offensive and advanced towards the Army operation command center in Jurin and recaptured several positions in the Al-Ghab plain, including Tal Hamka, Tal Awar, the Zayzun thermal plant and Zayzun. At least 12 government fighters and 9 rebels were killed, while a number of armoured vehicles and tanks were destroyed by BGM-71 TOW missiles.[44][45] Later that day, rebels captured al-Bahsa village and advanced into Safsafa, killing 17 government fighters, while losing 19 fighters.[25]
On 6 August, the Army launched counter-attacks on al-Bahsa, Mansura and Tal Awar, recapturing al-Bahsa and Mansura. 29 government fighters and 35 rebels were killed since 5 August.[46][47]
On 7 August, rebels captured Qarqur, its hill and Mashik.[48] The military leader of "Qawat Al-Fahoud" (Cheetah Forces), Colonel ‘Ali Al-Hajji was killed, while the leader of “Qawat Al-Nimr” (Tiger Forces), Colonel Suheil Al-Hassan was wounded in a rebel mortar attack on a government military camp.[15] A leading al-Nusra Front leader was also killed.[49] Later that day, government forces reportedly recaptured Mashik and most of Qarqur. Pro-government sources also confirmed that al-Bahsa was back in rebel hands at that time.[50] The SOHR reported that government forces recaptured large parts of al-Mshek and al-Bahsa during the counter-attack.[51]
On 9 August, rebels recaptured Mansura, al-Ziyara, the silos area, Tal Wassit, al-Tanmia checkpoint and a number of military vehicles (including tanks). The Army conducted over 80 airstrikes, covering the retreat of the government forces in the area. The rebels lost 33 fighters during the assault.[52]
On 10 August, over 90 airstrikes were conducted on villages and towns in the al-Ghab plain, killing a number of rebels. The SOHR reported that one of these villages was Khirbat al-Naqus, which was previously not mentioned as captured by the rebels the day before.[53]
On 14 August, the rebels blew up two bridges at al-Ziyara, in the al-Ghab plain, to prevent future government advancements.[54] That day, five soldiers were executed by the rebels in Idlib city, in protest of the mistreatment of rebel prisoners in Hama Central Prison.[55]
Attacks and counter-attacks continue
Situation in Idlib governorate, late-August 2015
On 18 August, the military launched a new counter-offensive recapturing several villages,[56] including Khirbat al-Naqus, al-Ziyara, Mansura and Tal Wassit.[57] Later, they also captured Msheek[58] and advanced in al-Qahera.[citation needed] Two days later, government forces also secured the southern sector of Qarqur.[59][60]
On 25 August, rebels launched a new counter-attack and recaptured al-Ziyara, al-Msheek, Mansura, Tal Wassit and Khirbat Al-Naqus, as the Syrian Army retreated with little resistance.[61][62] At least 14 soldiers were killed,[63] while government forces also lost a number of military vehicles, including tanks.[64] On the same day, the Syrian Armed Forces were attempting to recapture the contested town of Al-Bahsa, which was 60 percent under their control[65] (they ended up recapturing it on 10 October).[66]
On 28 August, the Army again launched a counter-attack and recaptured Khirbat Al-Naqus. According to Al-Masdar News, the "Tiger Force" pulled back its forces during the last rebel counter-attack and did not participate.[62][67]
Aftermath
On 10 October, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to take full-control of the town of Fawru.[66]
^Barnard, Anne; Saad, Hwaida (25 April 2015). "Islamists Seize Control of Syrian City in Northwest". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 April 2015. Other video images posted by fighters and antigovernment activists showed insurgents, including some with Fursan al-Haq, a Free Syrian Army group, using what appeared to be guided antitank missiles to blow up armored vehicles in the battles in Idlib Province in recent days.
^Stuster, J. Dana (26 April 2015). "Syrian Rebels Seize Strategic City Near Coast". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 27 April 2015. The collective is called the "Army of Conquest," and its gains have been at least partially attributed to better cooperation between the rebels' foreign patrons Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar
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